My comments: Slik 300DX vs Bogen 3001
I've got the Slik, Wifey has the Bogen. I've messed with
both extensively.
The Bogen 3001 is easier to set up, due to quicker levers on
leg spread and leg extension, but it doesn't get as close to the
ground. The Slik 300 lays "almost" flat on the ground. I disagree
with Steve Smith, who says the Slik is easier to adjust than the
Bogen. You have to crank the leg extension thumb screws more on
the Slik to tighten or lossen, and there's NO way that the
"lift and lock" leg angle adjustment on the Slik is as quick as
the Bogen.
My Slik panhead is sturdy enough, but very difficult to adjust
on macro shots. It "jumps" too much, even when I relubed it with
some purty good axle grease (grin).
The Slik quick release is well thought out, and a spare
cost me less than 15 bucks at a typical camera store. The Slik has
an optional short center post that is also cheap but well worth it.
When I say "sturdy enough" I mean for a Sigma APO 70-300, my bulkiest
lens. I have NO idea how sturdy it is with some honker, fast, long
lens.
Should you be a masochist who likes to reverse the center column,
the Slick is easier than the 3001, because the rubber cap on the
3001 is cumbersome to remove and replace.
However, according to the Bogen site, a slew of new 3001-like models
are about to be released. They spread out farther, and one model
lets you put the center column on horizontally. Had I compared one
of these (and I haven't seen them yet) to the Slik, I might have
purchased
one of them.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Jerry Houston: "I have a lightweight and sturdy tripod that I’ve come to
> like a lot: The Slik 300DX. Smooth movements, good stability, and a
> reasonable price (under $100). I even use it without fear with my Pentax
> 6x7. It weights five pounds, complete with quick-release pan/tilt head, and
> stands a a little taller than the Bogen 3001. At 6 feet, I barely need to
> bend over to use it. It is beautifully built, works very smoothly, and
> works well with my 35mmcameras and my 6x7. The head is removable, with
> standard threads. I’ve been very pleased with the head it came with,
> though. The quick-release feature is particularly well designed, as are the
> legs. They can be locked at three different angles, and the center column
> reversed, to allow photography at just inches from the ground.
>
> Steve Smith: "I’ve been using the 300DX for several months now and am very
> satisfied. I compared it to similarly sized Gitzo and Bogen (3001) tripods
> and it was the hands-down winner regarding ease of setup (so you’ll use
> it). The release lever allowing the legs to open at a wider angle is much
> easier to operate on the Slik than on either Gitzo or Bogen. And the
> supplied pan-and-tilt head (which I prefer over ballheads, especially for
> macro work) and quick release plates I find to be excellent, and much more
> compact than a Bogen 3047. I have even stuck a Pentax 67 on it with good
> results. Overall, it’s pretty close in size and weight to a Bogen 3001 with
> a 3047 ballhead, but much cheaper (especially considering its black
> finish)."
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